Provincial rules for cannabis businesses

Updates to the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Regulation were introduced on February 16, 2018, that will govern how privately owned retail stores will operate, including:

who can own cannabis stores

where they can be located

staff requirements

safety and security requirements

other operational details

The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) will carry out licensing, oversight and compliance functions for privately owned cannabis retail stores, as well as managing the distribution of cannabis to these stores.

Cannabis-related businesses

Retail sales of recreational cannabis or mairjuana are currently illegal. We will continue to enforce existing laws related to cannabis sales until the new legislation comes into effect by July 2018. Currently, business licenses are not being issued for the sale of cannabis.

New cannabis retail businesses

The legalization of cannabis is creating interest about potential retail opportunities in Brooks. The City is waiting for more clarity from the provincial government before we can move forward on the cannabis retail sales model.

Brooks permits and licensing

Based on the information currently available, municipalities in Alberta will be responsible for the location and regulations for cannabis stores. The provincial government has indicated that retail cannabis stores will be privately operated, while the only government will be allowed to conduct online sales of cannabis. And all cannabis products will be supplied by the AGLC.

To accommodate the retail sale and production of cannabis products in Brooks, the City is considering how best to formulate regulations at the municipal level. New Land Use Bylaw amendments are currently being developed and will be introduced to Council shortly.

Contact us

If you have any questions about cannabis legalization and businesses, please email jthomas@brooks.ca